Molly Harriss Olson has recently been appointed as the CEO of Fairtrade Australia and New Zealand. Before this however, she was the chair of Fairtrade International as well as being heavily involved in a number of sustainability initiatives.    She has co-founded a firm called EcoFutures and Earthmark, which works with businesses as well as governments to build sustainable strategies, and she is the founder of the National Business Leaders forum on Sustainable Development.   Ms Harriss Olson most evidently demonstrates a skill set and depth of knowledge that will cultivate a desire and ability for action in conference delegates as her many accomplishments are nothing less than inspiring. - - - Dirrum Dirrum Conference 2014 Be the Change | 1-4 August 2014 For more information about the Dirrum Dirrum Conference 2014, visit https://dirrumfestival.org/cbr14 - - - Dirrum Dirrum seeks to foster a greater humanity. If it is authentic then it will be a gift to others, measurable in the power and life it bestows. There are three activities: the development of humble leadership; creating a climate of inspiration; fostering a cycle of responsibility. Dirrum Dirrum is the sound of red in Ngunnawal and represents the earth. We belong to the earth, we belong to one another, and we belong to the human and ecological communities from which we draw nourishment. Belonging infers accountability. Dirrum Dirrum invites an accountability to the way it enriches community and empowers people. Simply, may we do justice, act with compassion and walk humbly together upon the earth and with our God. For more information about Dirrum Dirrum, visit https://dirrumdirrum.org/about - - -

Maria was born and raised in Timor-Leste with her 11 brothers and sisters.   Through Maria’s eyes we will learn of sacrifice and hardship, amazing resilience through occupation, oppression, refuge and struggle into sovereignty and independence. Maria is currently living and studying in Sydney supporting her youngest son in his final years of high school.   Every year for the last six 'Mana Maria' has accompanied a small group of students from Radford College to Timor. She is more than guide and translator. She is teacher, host, patron, negotiator, friend. Her integrity, dignity and fiery spirit mirrors the Timorese charism that has been a gift to the region after many years of struggle. Maria's story is of a fight for freedom and advocacy for life. - - - Dirrum Dirrum Conference 2014 Be the Change | 1-4 August 2014 For more information about the Dirrum Dirrum Conference 2014, visit https://dirrumfestival.org/cbr14 - - - Dirrum Dirrum seeks to foster a greater humanity. If it is authentic then it will be a gift to others, measurable in the power and life it bestows. There are three activities: the development of humble leadership; creating a climate of inspiration; fostering a cycle of responsibility. Dirrum Dirrum is the sound of red in Ngunnawal and represents the earth. We belong to the earth, we belong to one another, and we belong to the human and ecological communities from which we draw nourishment. Belonging infers accountability. Dirrum Dirrum invites an accountability to the way it enriches community and empowers people. Simply, may we do justice, act with compassion and walk humbly together upon the earth and with our God. For more information about Dirrum Dirrum, visit https://dirrumdirrum.org/about - - -

Franki will be both speaker and artist for the 2014 Dirrum Dirrum conference. She has a long history as an artist, illustrator and print maker, including public commissions and community arts programs. Her artwork is represented in the Australian National Gallery and many of Canberra’s public places; her illustrations have won prizes in Australia and Italy, and been selected twice for exhibition at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.   In 2013 Franki was a resident artist and Bridgeguard of the Maria Valeria bridge across the Danube, between Štúrovo (Slovakia) and Esztergom (Hungary). Last destroyed by the Nazis, it was rebuilt and opened 57 years later, and is now the focus of ‘creative guardianship’ by artists, writers and musicians from around the world. Franki’s project there was a picture book without words – ‘bridging’ both language and literacy.   In 2014 Franki travels to Timor-Leste to research and experiment with grassroots storytelling and printing. People can have power over the stories they tell and print, even with little resources or training. - - - Dirrum Dirrum Conference 2014 Be the Change | 1-4 August 2014 For more information about the Dirrum Dirrum Conference 2014, visit https://dirrumfestival.org/cbr14 - - - Dirrum Dirrum seeks to foster a greater humanity. If it is authentic then it will be a gift to others, measurable in the power and life it bestows. There are three activities: the development of humble leadership; creating a climate of inspiration; fostering a cycle of responsibility. Dirrum Dirrum is the sound of red in Ngunnawal and represents the earth. We belong to the earth, we belong to one another, and we belong to the human and ecological communities from which we draw nourishment. Belonging infers accountability. Dirrum Dirrum invites an accountability to the way it enriches community and empowers people. Simply, may we do justice, act with compassion and walk humbly together upon the earth and with our God. For more information about Dirrum Dirrum, visit https://dirrumdirrum.org/about - - -

Michael Sheldrick is a community activist, social justice campaigner, law graduate who manages an international campaign against polio. In 2011, Michael brought the need to end polio to the attention of the international community when he was successful in having the former Prime Minister include the eradication of polio on the agenda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth. The outcome of this meeting was an historic pledge of $50 million from the Australian Government and nearly $70 million from other world leaders to fund global polio eradication efforts. He has been involved in the roll out of polio advocacy campaigns in North America, the United Kingdom and Pakistan. Michael now lives in New York and is the Global Policy and Advocacy Manager at the Global Poverty Project. On the End of Polio campaign: “I love the fact that I get to work in a job that is part of making a difference for some of the most remote, marginalised and vulnerable communities on earth.” - - - Dirrum Dirrum Conference 2014 Be the Change | 1-4 August 2014 For more information about the Dirrum Dirrum Conference 2014, visit https://dirrumfestival.org/cbr14 - - - Dirrum Dirrum seeks to foster a greater humanity. If it is authentic then it will be a gift to others, measurable in the power and life it bestows. There are three activities: the development of humble leadership; creating a climate of inspiration; fostering a cycle of responsibility. Dirrum Dirrum is the sound of red in Ngunnawal and represents the earth. We belong to the earth, we belong to one another, and we belong to the human and ecological communities from which we draw nourishment. Belonging infers accountability. Dirrum Dirrum invites an accountability to the way it enriches community and empowers people. Simply, may we do justice, act with compassion and walk humbly together upon the earth and with our God. For more information about Dirrum Dirrum, visit https://dirrumdirrum.org/about - - -

Fiona Toll was born and raised in Canberra, where she currently works as a marketing manager in the family business Rodney’s Plants Plus. She, her husband, and two children live in a rural community and raise cows, chickens, and too many horses.   For the past 6 years, Fiona has travelled to Nepal, where she has been involved in a number of women’s programs: Mentoring women in their micro-loan businesses, Teacher training, and working with children living in institutions. She organizes select groups from Australia to share their skills, ideas and create a meaningful bonds. Fiona’s key passion is our common humanity, to build connections between different worlds, enriching all.   The projects she has established with international NGO’s, such as teaching photography, jewellery making, empower girls, create confidence and can translate into important income making skills. On her recent visit to Nepal, Fiona worked with Asha-Nepal, a human rights organization working towards the social and economic empowerment of women and children who have been affected by sex trafficking.   Fiona is currently establishing a foundation to grow her activities in Australia and into other Asian countries. She will be returning to Nepal in October with a school group, which after a trek, will work with Nepali school children in exchanging ideas on leadership, teamwork and goal setting. - - - Dirrum Dirrum Conference 2014 Be the Change | 1-4 August 2014 For more information about the Dirrum Dirrum Conference 2014, visit https://dirrumfestival.org/cbr14 - - - Dirrum Dirrum seeks to foster a greater humanity. If it is authentic then it will be a gift to others, measurable in the power and life it bestows. There are three activities: the development of humble leadership; creating a climate of inspiration; fostering a cycle of responsibility. Dirrum Dirrum is the sound of red in Ngunnawal and represents the earth. We belong to the earth, we belong to one another, and we belong to the human and ecological communities from which we draw nourishment. Belonging infers accountability. Dirrum Dirrum invites an accountability to the way it enriches community and empowers people. Simply, may we do justice, act with compassion and walk humbly together upon the earth and with our God. For more information about Dirrum Dirrum, visit https://dirrumdirrum.org/about - - -

Matthew Pye is a teacher working at Bundarra Central School. Over the past two and a half years he and his team have been developing an alternative education strategy and curriculum for disengaged, predominantly indigenous youth. The resultant program is called Crossing the Divide and draws on the expertise of many different organisations in the community in an integrated and holistic fashion to address the well-documented inequity that exists in his target demographic.   The program operates out of a newly developed trade training centre at the back of the school. It is a non-traditional education centre engaging teens that are sliding out of, or, have already dropped out of, the traditional education settings. His work provides them with the opportunity to attain an HSC as well as offering skills and industry recognised tickets in areas such as first aid, metals and engineering, heavy machinery operation, automotive and so on. It is a multi-faceted approach.   In short, Crossing the Divide is challenging, difficult, messy. Despite the program's infancy, early indications suggest that it works. Crossing the Divide has stemmed from Matthew and his team's unending belief that the system should change to meet the needs of those who fall outside the square. He works strongly with the support of his local community as well as the NSW state government. - - - Dirrum Dirrum Conference 2014 Be the Change | 1-4 August 2014 For more information about the Dirrum Dirrum Conference 2014, visit https://dirrumfestival.org/cbr14 - - - Dirrum Dirrum seeks to foster a greater humanity. If it is authentic then it will be a gift to others, measurable in the power and life it bestows. There are three activities: the development of humble leadership; creating a climate of inspiration; fostering a cycle of responsibility. Dirrum Dirrum is the sound of red in Ngunnawal and represents the earth. We belong to the earth, we belong to one another, and we belong to the human and ecological communities from which we draw nourishment. Belonging infers accountability. Dirrum Dirrum invites an accountability to the way it enriches community and empowers people. Simply, may we do justice, act with compassion and walk humbly together upon the earth and with our God. For more information about Dirrum Dirrum, visit https://dirrumdirrum.org/about - - -

Paul Porteous is Director of Leadership Development at the Australian New Zealand School of Government Institute of Governance, and has vast experience from the UN to International Court of Justice. He has been Visiting Faculty at Harvard Kennedy School and a Fellow at Harvard’s Center for Public Leadership where he received the “Dean’s Award for Excellence in Student Teaching”.   From 2005-2009, Paul was Senior Adviser to the President of Madagascar, developing cutting edge leadership practice for nation building and the alleviation of poverty. Paul is also Executive Director of the Centre for Social Leadership in Australia, developing innovative programs across government, business and community sectors focused on social impact, cross-cultural relations and conflict management.   Paul has a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University and both Economics and Law degrees from the University of Sydney. He is admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of Australia and worked for many years as an accredited mediator in conflict resolution. - - - Dirrum Dirrum Conference 2014 Be the Change | 1-4 August 2014 For more information about the Dirrum Dirrum Conference 2014, visit https://dirrumfestival.org/cbr14 - - - Dirrum Dirrum seeks to foster a greater humanity. If it is authentic then it will be a gift to others, measurable in the power and life it bestows. There are three activities: the development of humble leadership; creating a climate of inspiration; fostering a cycle of responsibility. Dirrum Dirrum is the sound of red in Ngunnawal and represents the earth. We belong to the earth, we belong to one another, and we belong to the human and ecological communities from which we draw nourishment. Belonging infers accountability. Dirrum Dirrum invites an accountability to the way it enriches community and empowers people. Simply, may we do justice, act with compassion and walk humbly together upon the earth and with our God. For more information about Dirrum Dirrum, visit https://dirrumdirrum.org/about - - -

"Yes, Climate Change is Real and Human-Caused: What Now?" Steve O’Connor began his journey into global warming almost a decade ago whilst at ANU doing a Ph.D on biologically-inspired neural networks. Looking at some of the climate literature, he noticed a yawning gap between the risks posed by the latest findings and what filtered through to the public consciousness via the media.  Since then he has been actively seeking to understand the science and impacts of our changing climate as well as possible solutions. Along the way, Steve has had many of his articles on climate change and clean energy published, had a stimulating conversation with former Chief Scientist Penny Sackett about the need for a war-like mobilisation effort and trained with former Vice-President Al Gore to be a Climate Reality Leader and mentor.  More recently he has been involved with SolarShare, a Canberra-based organisation that is about to launch Australia’s largest community solar investment scheme. - - - Dirrum Dirrum Conference 2014 Be the Change | 1-4 August 2014 For more information about the Dirrum Dirrum Conference 2014, visit https://dirrumfestival.org/cbr14 - - - Dirrum Dirrum seeks to foster a greater humanity. If it is authentic then it will be a gift to others, measurable in the power and life it bestows. There are three activities: the development of humble leadership; creating a climate of inspiration; fostering a cycle of responsibility. Dirrum Dirrum is the sound of red in Ngunnawal and represents the earth. We belong to the earth, we belong to one another, and we belong to the human and ecological communities from which we draw nourishment. Belonging infers accountability. Dirrum Dirrum invites an accountability to the way it enriches community and empowers people. Simply, may we do justice, act with compassion and walk humbly together upon the earth and with our God. For more information about Dirrum Dirrum, visit https://dirrumdirrum.org/about - - -

Sarah Bachelard is a pilgrim and meditator, theologian and philosopher. She is a teacher of meditation and leader of a contemplative community, representative to the United Nations on the status of women and author (Experiencing God in a Time of Crisis (2012) and Resurrection and Moral Imagination (2014)).   She has been a lecturer in spirituality and ethics and notes the last few years have moved her from ideology towards ontology, that is, away from the practice of being good to the art of being loved. This, she suggests, is the way to participate in lasting change. Sarah advocates stillness and silence as an important pillar in sustainable, lifelong, ethical practice. - - - Dirrum Dirrum Conference 2014 Be the Change | 1-4 August 2014 For more information about the Dirrum Dirrum Conference 2014, visit https://dirrumfestival.org/cbr14 - - - Dirrum Dirrum seeks to foster a greater humanity. If it is authentic then it will be a gift to others, measurable in the power and life it bestows. There are three activities: the development of humble leadership; creating a climate of inspiration; fostering a cycle of responsibility. Dirrum Dirrum is the sound of red in Ngunnawal and represents the earth. We belong to the earth, we belong to one another, and we belong to the human and ecological communities from which we draw nourishment. Belonging infers accountability. Dirrum Dirrum invites an accountability to the way it enriches community and empowers people. Simply, may we do justice, act with compassion and walk humbly together upon the earth and with our God. For more information about Dirrum Dirrum, visit https://dirrumdirrum.org/about - - -